Did you know?……

How long has Light Gauge Steel been around?

Light Gauge Steel methods have been around since the 1900’s although they have not been a very popular option as the methodology of the framing supply chain was not well established. Since the WW2, where housing shortage was apparent, engineers worked extensively to introduce useable methods of using light-gauge steel as a load-bearing and non-load bearing element. By the mid 40’s cold-form steel became a more popular option when American design standards were produced as the light weight, but strong cold rolled material could cut material costs significantly. By the 1950s and 1960s, the market for Light Gauge Steel became further established and its popularity and acceptance by builders had become more common.

Today, technology and the use of advanced software’s have given us the ability to design whole house layouts, including openings and structural walls as well as whole roof truss designs. As a result, Cold-Form Steel manufacturing and fabrication has become a time-saving strategy that builders have been choosing for efficient house builds.

How strong and reliable is Light Gauge Steel?

Cold Form Steel has been studied to be up to 20 percent stronger than hot-rolled steel, with studies reporting that the newly designed steel has far superior strength to weight ratio. To add to these strengths, the amount of material used is significantly less as well as the energy used to produce the Cold Form Steel coil. Unlike timber, Light Gauge Steel is more likely to be delivered to site without the risk of being warped, twisted, or bent. Cold rolled steel is a perfect display of durability in framing material as the product is impervious to fire, termites, rot, and splitting.

As a result of the strength that Light Gauge Steel produces as well as its reliability and sustainability, many pathways for builders, architects and developers have become accessible. Whether it means creating more efficient designs to meet the stakeholders wants or creating a sophisticated design that could not be easily produced in timber design, Cold Form Steel fabrication has created new opportunities for those who are ambitious and striving toward more efficient builds.

Is Light Gauge Steel Recyclable at the end of a building cycle?

85 % of steel used in a building cycle is recyclable. Light Gauge Steel uses up to 25 % of recycled steel, these facts result in Light Gauge Steel being the most environmentally ethical method of construction in comparison to all traditional building methods used today. Yearly, 500 million tonnes of steel are recycled yearly, the equivalent of almost 25 Sydney Harbour Bridge’s every single day!

Does Cold Form Steel comply with Australian Standards?

Australian standards have covered Cold Form Steel from the material and process standards to the relevant design standards. AS/NZS – Cold-formed structural steel hollow sections and AS/NZS 4600 cover all the nitty bitty details when it comes to the process and design of Light Gauge Steel, but the overall construction details are still in accordance with regular Australian construction standards.